Learn the meaning of veracity with definition, pronunciation, examples, UPSC explanation, synonyms, antonyms, etymology, and real-life usage.
Veracity Meaning: Definition, Usage, Examples & UPSC Guide
📘 Overview
Veracity is a powerful English word that refers to truthfulness, accuracy, and honesty. It is often used when talking about facts, statements, data, or a person’s character. In simple words, veracity answers the question: “Is it true?”
This word is commonly found in:
- Literature and journalism
- Science and research
- Law and ethics
- Competitive exams like UPSC
- Technology, data analysis, and the internet
Veracity is especially important in today’s world, where information spreads very fast and misinformation is common.
| Word | Veracity |
| Part of Speech | Noun |
| Pronunciation | /vəˈræs.ɪ.ti/ |
| Meaning | The quality of being true, accurate, and honest |
| Simple Definition | Telling the truth or being correct |
| Origin | Latin (veritas – truth) |
| First Known Use | 15th Century |
| Root Word | ver- (true) |
| Common Usage | Ethics, Science, Journalism, UPSC |
| Adjective Form | Veracious |
| Related Words | Verify, Verity, Verdict |
| Synonyms | Truthfulness, Accuracy, Honesty |
| Antonyms | Falsehood, Mendacity, Deception |
| Example Sentence | The veracity of the report was carefully checked. |
| Exam Importance | Frequently used in UPSC and competitive exams |
| Big Data Relevance | One of the 4 Vs (Veracity) |
| Language Level | Advanced / Academic English |
🔊 Pronunciation
| Style | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| British English | /vəˈræs.ɪ.ti/ |
| American English | /vəˈræs.ə.t̬i/ |
| Simplified | vuh-RASS-i-tee |
📖 Definitions and Functions
Primary Definition
Veracity (noun):
The quality of being true, accurate, or honest.
Extended Meanings
- Truthfulness of statements or information
- Accuracy of facts or data
- Habit of telling the truth
- Reliability of evidence or sources
Functions in Language
- Used as an abstract noun
- Describes ideas, claims, reports, or character
- Often used in formal and academic writing
Example Sentences
- The journalist checked the veracity of the news before publishing it.
- Scientists questioned the veracity of the experimental results.
- His reputation for veracity earned him public trust.
🎯 Veracity Explained for UPSC & Competitive Exams
For exams like UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, and Banking, veracity is important in ethics, essay writing, comprehension, and vocabulary sections.
Key Exam-Oriented Points
- Veracity is a moral and ethical value
- Closely linked with integrity, honesty, and transparency
- Frequently used in ethics case studies
- Appears in reading comprehension passages
Simple UPSC Explanation
Veracity means speaking the truth and ensuring facts are correct, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable.
Example (Ethics Paper)
- A civil servant must maintain veracity while reporting facts to the government.
- Media institutions are expected to uphold veracity in news reporting.
🕰️ Etymology and History
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | Latin |
| Root Word | vēritās |
| Meaning | Truth |
| Related Latin Word | vērus (true) |
| Entry into English | 15th century |
Historical Development
- Initially used to describe truthfulness of speech
- Later expanded to include accuracy of facts and records
- Today, widely used in science, law, and digital media
🧠 Grammar and Linguistic Usage
| Feature | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Noun |
| Countable | Usually uncountable |
| Article Usage | “the veracity of…” |
| Adjective Form | Veracious |
| Adverb Form | Veraciously |
Common Grammar Patterns
- Veracity of a claim
- Question the veracity of information
- Known for veracity
Incorrect: veracitys
Correct: levels of veracity / degree of veracity
🏛️ Symbolism and Cultural Importance
Veracity symbolizes:
- Truth
- Moral courage
- Trustworthiness
- Ethical strength
Cultural Importance
- In philosophy, veracity is considered a virtue
- In journalism, it is a professional duty
- In governance, it is linked to accountability
- In society, it builds trust and credibility
Many cultures value truth as the foundation of justice and harmony, making veracity a universal ethical principle.
💻 Veracity in Technology and the Internet
In the digital age, veracity has become more important than ever.
Key Areas
- Fake news detection
- Fact-checking platforms
- Data verification
- AI and machine learning
- Cybersecurity
Examples
- Social media platforms work to improve the veracity of shared content.
- Algorithms are designed to assess the veracity of online information.
- Low veracity data can lead to misinformation and public harm.
Related Concepts
- Data integrity
- Source credibility
- Information authenticity
🔬 Veracity in Science
In science, veracity refers to the truthfulness and accuracy of research findings.
Importance in Science
- Ensures reliable experiments
- Prevents false conclusions
- Builds scientific trust
- Supports reproducibility
Scientific Usage
- Veracity of experimental data
- Veracity of research claims
- Peer review checks veracity
Without veracity, science loses its foundation.
✍️ Spelling and Word Formation
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Correct Spelling | Veracity |
| Common Misspellings | verasity, varacity |
| Root | ver- (true) |
| Suffix | -acity (quality/state) |
Word Family
- Verity (truth)
- Verify (check truth)
- Verifiable (can be proven)
- Veracious (truthful)
🎵 Rhyming Words
Words that rhyme with veracity (near or slant rhymes):
- Audacity
- Tenacity
- Sagacity
- Vivacity
- Mendacity (opposite in meaning, but rhyme)
📊 Table: Synonyms, Related Words & Antonyms
Synonyms & Related Words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Truthfulness | Quality of being truthful |
| Accuracy | Correctness |
| Honesty | Moral truth |
| Integrity | Ethical honesty |
| Reliability | Dependability |
| Authenticity | Being genuine |
| Credibility | Believability |
| Verity | Truth |
Antonyms
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Falsehood | Something untrue |
| Mendacity | Habit of lying |
| Deception | Intentional misleading |
| Dishonesty | Lack of truth |
| Inaccuracy | Incorrectness |
| Fabrication | Made-up story |
🌍 Variants and Equivalents in Other Languages
| Language | Equivalent Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi | सत्यता (Satyata) | Truthfulness |
| Sanskrit | सत्य (Satya) | Truth |
| French | Véracité | Truthfulness |
| Spanish | Veracidad | Accuracy |
| German | Wahrhaftigkeit | Truthfulness |
| Italian | Veridicità | Truth |
| Latin | Veritas | Truth |
| Arabic | صدق (Sidq) | Honesty |
🎉 Fun Facts about Veracity
- The word veracity shares its root with verify and verdict.
- It is often used in courtrooms and legal writing.
- “Veracity” is one of the four Vs of Big Data (Volume, Velocity, Variety, Veracity).
- Philosophers like Immanuel Kant emphasized veracity as a moral duty.
- The opposite word mendacity also rhymes with veracity.
🧩 Quick Summary
- Veracity means truthfulness and accuracy.
- It is a noun used in formal contexts.
- Important in ethics, exams, science, and digital media.
- Comes from Latin veritas (truth).
- Plays a vital role in building trust and credibility.
